While I was waiting for a barrel change at The Transfer Tavern one of the Sportsmail guys at the Daily Mail told me that Manchester City are being “linked with a raid on cash-strapped” La Liga side Valencia for defender Carlos Marchena.

The paper claiming, that the Citizens “have reportedly made an approach” to lure the Spanish International away from the Mestalla to the Premier League club.

It said that the “financial problems” at Los Che mean the Spanish side “must consider bids” for any of their players, but that Marchena “is one of the players” Valencia, “hope” to keep at the Mestalla.

29-year-old Marchena claimed to be “keen to discuss a new contract”, but, with “a difficult summer ahead”. Valencia, “are reluctant” to spend than necessary.

Greek outfit Panathinaikos along with the Premiership side are claimed to “have approached” Marchena’s agent, “according” to Spanish paper Superdeporte, but Valencia “won’t be pushed into” holding talks until a “concrete offer” arrives for Marchena.

So did this Sportsmail reporter empty the barrel we were changing to come up with this one? Are City really set to raid cash-strapped Valencia for Marchena? Should this rumour Fly or Die?